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Welcome to the October Newsletter.
There’s some great news to read below, including Hamlet Park improvements, the Hillsdale Fire Company's benefit BBQ, a Housing Committee success and two local businesses, the Hillsdale General Store and Books & Cake, celebrating anniversaries.
But first I want to talk about the 2027 Town Budget.
Here are some sobering numbers:
- Health insurance for town employees has risen 25%.
- The cost of heating oil for the Town Hall, Sheriff’s Substation and the Town Garage is projected to increase substantially.
- Diesel fuel prices have doubled, which is driving up the costs not only for our trucks but for the materials needed to keep our roads safe.
On top of these day-to-day expenses we face a major capital improvement: replacing the West End Road bridge, the only bridge in Hillsdale owned by the town. We started the process by hiring an engineering firm and winning a $1,084,000 state grant in 2024.
Last week the engineering firm gave us an updated projected cost of the bridge. It has skyrocketed, resulting in a funding shortage of $1.5 million -- a perfect example of the challenges we will face in the coming years.
I have reached out to the offices of Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Didi Barrett as well as personally discussed with Congressman Josh Riley the possibility of additional grants. We will continue to explore all bridge funding opportunities.
But back to the budget. The examples above are what the Town Board is dealing with as we calculate our numbers for the upcoming year. In the budget sessions held in September we slashed the General Fund and Highway budget by drastic amounts but still have a gap to contend with.
Until last year Hillsdale went a decade without increasing taxes. While understandable in the time of Covid, not allotting for inflation has cost the town a significant amount in accumulated revenue. The Board must deal with this shortfall as rising costs and the unexpected but necessary expenditures to repair the damage from the July flooding has decreased our fund balances.
We will be discussing these issues in the series of meetings listed below not only for the 2027 budget but projected spending for the next few years so we can rebuild our reserves and better plan for capital expenditures.
A note about the Hamlet Park upgrades: The construction of the bandshell and new plantings were not funded by property taxes but by a combination of donations, grants from the Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation and HRBT Foundation, and use of a special dedicated fund for park improvements funded by subdivision fees.
Mike Dvorchak
Hillsdale Town Supervisor
| | New Plantings in Hamlet Park | | From left, Hillsdale Hamlet Committee member Christine Doctor, Town Board member Bart Ziegler, Town Supervisor Mike Dvorchak and Town Board member Nico Hernandez. | | |
The Hillsdale Hamlet Committee and other volunteers planted three dozen decorative trees and shrubs along the western edge of Hamlet Park. The viburnum, dappled willow and buttonbush plants will provide flowers from spring through summer, berries for birds and colorful fall foliage.
In addition to their aesthetics, the long row of plants will serve as a visual screen between the park and neighboring properties.
The plants were funded by donations to the Hillsdale Economic and Community Development Corp. while the labor was supplied by volunteers. No taxpayer dollars were involved.
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TOWN BOARD MEETINGS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 /TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 11:45 AM
2027 Organizational Meeting:
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2027 NOON
The meetings are held in person at Town Hall at 7 PM and are also available via Zoom. Participants, whether via Zoom or in person, will be able to make comments during the designated Public Comment time at the beginning of the meeting.
2026 Town Board Zoom
The draft agenda for the Town Board meetings will be posted on the Agendas & Minutes page of the town website a week before the meeting. Links to the documents pertinent to the meeting will be included in the agenda. Among the linked documents are the latest financial statements for the town. Minutes of previous Town Board meetings are posted on the Agendas & Minutes page.
2027 UPDATED BUDGET SCHEDULE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, at NOON: BUDGET WORKSHOP
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, at NOON:
PUBLIC HEARING ON TENTATIVE BUDGET
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, at 12:30 PM:
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
COLUMBIA COUNTY
LEGAL NOTICE
Town of Hillsdale
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Hillsdale shall hold two public hearings on Tuesday 20th of October 2026 at 6.50 pm and 6:55 pm, held at Hillsdale Town Hall, 2609 State Route 23, Hillsdale, NY 12529, concerning the proposed Preliminary Budget for 2027 and the proposed enactment of of two Local Laws:
Public Hearing for Local Law No. 4-2026: A Local Law to Authorize Alternate Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals at 6:50 pm.
Public Hearing for Local Law No. 5-2026: A Local Law.to Authorize Alternate Members of the Planning Board at 6:55 pm.
Copies of said proposed local laws and Preliminary Budget are available in the office of the Town Clerk in the Hillsdale Town Hall.
By order of the Town Clerk,
Robina Ward
September 21, 2026
Please note that additional Public Hearings are being considered at the October 5 Town Board meeting.
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Highway Department Drivers Wanted
The Town of Hillsdale is seeking resumes for full-time CDL drivers starting at $26.75 an hour, with benefits including health insurance and NY State retirement.
Please call 518-325-4744 for more details, or mail your resume to
155 Old Town Road, Hillsdale, NY 12529
Or email highway@hillsdaleny.com
Richard Briggs, Hillsdale Highway Superintendent
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SENIOR RECYCLING PERMITS
If you are a senior and need a recycling permit for your vehicle, you can obtain one on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, between 10 AM and 2 PM, at Town Hall. Just come down the stairs when you enter the building, and Deputy Clerk Emily Stalker will help you. We look forward to seeing you!
| | Habitat to build in Hillsdale…with an assist from the Housing Committee | | |
Earlier this year, two Hillsdale residents became aware of a property that was on the market for much less than any other properties locally. Realizing the shortage of affordable homes, these individuals contacted a member of the Hillsdale Housing Committee and asked them to be the go-between between themselves and Habitat for Humanity. They were willing to donate money for the purchase of the property and give some more towards the work that would need to be done. If Habitat felt it was a workable project, the donor’s stipulation was that their names must always be kept anonymous.
Columbia-Greene Habitat for Humanity has purchased the property at 10021 Rt 22 in Hillsdale and plans to rehabilitate the existing structure and sell it under its affordable homeownership program.
Details are still a work in progress, but the Habitat team and local architect Dimitri Brand are working on a design to construct a version of Habitat’s Rural Starter home concept on the site. Habitat and the Housing Committee have been exploring opportunities for many years, and we finally found one that works! A win-win, with more opportunities to get involved when construction begins this fall.
Habitat will really need the community’s help when they are ready for volunteers. That means helping with painting, cleaning, landscaping, caulking, floors, and more. As the photos show, it will take a while to get to that point, but we encourage people to begin talking to your groups, businesses, and friends and start brainstorming ways you could help. And of course, a future homeowner will need to apply through Habitat’s affordable ownership program.
Contact: Habitat Office: (518) 828-0892
Habitat for Humanity
| | Purchased house for renovations. | | Habitat Carpenter and Helping Hands Manager Carlos Delaros working hard to clean out the house. | | Habitat Executive Director/CEO showing Committee member Shirley Bresler how an addition was added to the original house. | | (L-R) Nico Hernandez, Town board Liaison to Housing Committee, Ellen Levy, Housing Committee Chair, Rene Gibson Housing Committee, Dimitri Brand, Architect, Al Bellenchia, Habitat Executive Director, and Project Manager Don Hills | | |
Open Space Committee Reestablished
Applicants Needed
At the April 14 Town Board meeting, a resolution reestablishing the Open Space Committee was passed. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email a letter of interest and resume to townclerk@hillsdaleny.com.
For a complete list of available positions with the Town of Hillsdale, please click here.
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Monthly Coffee Hour features: Brenda Shufelt and “Hudson: A History of Whaling and Maritime Commerce ...with a Nod to the Ladies”
In the Spring of 2025, the Hudson Area Library mounted an exhibit on Hudson's beginnings, rooted in the whaling industry.
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Co-curator and History Room Coordinator Brenda Shufelt will give an overview of this important history and relate some of the lives of the mariners and their wives and the fascinating voyages that left the Port of Hudson, which were discovered through a decade of research by the History Room Team. You will meet the whaling captain who brought treasures back for his friend P.T. Barnum and the captain's wife who went with him on a whaling voyage.
You will hear the letters of the Old Rouse, a mariner who loved the adventure of facing a whale with little more than a handheld harpoon, and of the grandson of a Proprietor of Hudson who, after one voyage, determined he wished to be an accountant!
There will be a whale tooth scrimshaw of a prominent Hudson couple and copies of whaleship logbooks and other items from the exhibit to view, as well as a one-page resource list that includes the full exhibit online and the film created for the exhibit, Whaling in Hudson? What?
The coffee hour is held on the last Tuesday of each month at the Hillsdale House, 2634 NY-23, Hillsdale, from 10-11:30. There will be coffee, tea, and snacks. All are welcome to attend.
Safe at Home Wednesday Walks on Rail Trail: We meet by the Rail Trail kiosk behind Herrington’s and next to the Twisted Sisters Coffee Shop at 9:30. Come and meet new friends and get exercise!
Taconic Hills Elementary School and the Hillsdale Safe at Home Committee are looking for volunteers to read to elementary-age children as part of the “Stories Across Generations” program for the 2006-2007 school year. If interested, please contact us at our email address or Call Natalie if you have any questions or need a ride at 518-265-2113.
The committee’s email address is hillsdalesafeathome@gmail.com.
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HECDC Corner
"Give Where You Live"
Hillsdale Economic and Community Development Corporation (HECDC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to supporting Hillsdale-based projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of life and promote the Town’s economic development. There are a variety of projects that may be of interest to you and which you might wish to support, including the Hamlet Park restoration, the Blessing Box, the maintenance and improvements for the Roeliff Jansen Park, and other initiatives. To learn more and to make a tax- deductible contribution, follow this link to:
hillsdaleny.com/support-our-projects.
You may contact us at hecdcny@gmail.com
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Need Help This Winter with Heating Costs?
Governor Hochul has initiated a new statewide enrollment drive to assist millions of New Yorkers in receiving a monthly discount on their utility bills through the State’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP).
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The Energy Affordability Program (EAP) helps income-eligible consumers reduce their electric and natural gas bills with monthly discounts. Currently, 1 million households are enrolled, but an estimated 2.5 million more qualify, particularly after Governor Hochul's expansion of eligibility criteria. Depending on income, EAP can save New Yorkers hundreds annually, ensuring utility bills are less than six percent of a household's income. The program assists those with income below the Area or State Median Income based on their utility service territory.
Energy Affordability Program
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Some people loom large -- Japheth Hunt fits that description. The great-grandson of a Plymouth Colony Puritan, he was born in Sheffield in 1711. Japheth was among the very first residents of Nobletown/Hillsdale and practiced as a country doctor here for 40 years. He was a battlefield surgeon on the front lines of two brutal wars. Along the way, he married twice (to Azubah Gillet and Hannah Benson Davis) and sired six children. And during the last years of his long life, Japheth left behind everything he’d accomplished to start all over in the wild western edge of the new nation.
Since no colonial medical schools existed prior to 1765, it’s likely Japheth began his education as a teenage apprentice, serving a 3-to-7-year term with a local doctor. He would have learned the skills of that era, such as bloodletting, purging, blistering, compounding drugs, and basic surgery.
| | When Japheth was 43 years old, the French and Indian War broke out in the area. Dr. Hunt signed on, and according to family lore, his claim to fame was binding up the wounds of a 23-year-old aide-de-camp named George Washington during the disastrous Braddock Expedition. | | | |
Sources state that Washington never suffered a serious injury in his many campaigns, but on the other hand, his horse was shot out from under him twice during this battle, and four bullets passed through his coat. He also endured debilitating bouts of dysentery and pleurisy. The details may be lost to time, but it’s tempting to imagine there is some truth to the Hunt family legend.
Japheth stepped up again during the American Revolutionary War. He joined the Massachusetts Line of the Continental Army at the advanced age of 65. In 1776, doctors knew nothing of bacteria, viruses, or contagion. Little could be done for the virulent outbreaks of dysentery and fever, and many more soldiers died of disease than of battle wounds. However, General Washington came to believe in the efficacy of smallpox vaccinations, and administering them would have been one of Japheth’s duties.
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He would have also overseen the sanitary conditions of the camps and the treatment of wounds. One area of expertise at this time was amputation, often accomplished in two minutes, without anesthesia. Today, it can be hard for us to comprehend the daily harrowing circumstances facing a Revolutionary War physician like Japheth.
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He returned to his local practice at the end of the war, but Japhet’s adventures were not over. At the age of 83, he took his wife, two sons, and three daughters on a long journey into the wilderness. When veterans of the Revolution were offered free land in central New York, the Hunt family took the plunge and paddled canoes up the Tioughnioga River to the New Military Tract. These two million acres had recently been taken from Onondaga and Cayuga tribes and were divided into large plots for intrepid veteran families.
Japheth lived on for another 14 years in what was to become Marathon, New York. He was buried in the town’s Pioneer Cemetery at the age of 97. His son and grandson also became doctors. We thank you for your service, Japheth.
Jeanne Kiefer, Historic Hillsdale Committee
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The Town Historians are Looking for Volunteers
Want to be a part of Hillsdale's Revolutionary War history? To honor America's 250th Anniversary, the Hillsdale Historians are cleaning the headstones of our Revolutionary War veterans. There are about 40 headstones that still remain (of the 72 veterans we know are buried here), and they are scattered in cemeteries throughout the town.
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We'll be organizing teams to undertake cleaning duty throughout October and November (weather permitting). Send your name, email, and phone number to: HillsdaleHistorians@gmail.com
We'll send you a list of dates you can volunteer for and information about what you'll be doing. We'll provide the cleaning supplies; you'll provide the elbow grease (and your own sunscreen). Thank you for your service!
| | The Friends of the Roe Jan Library Book Shop will be open every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. The Friends accept donations from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM. | | |
The Extraordinary Caterpillar film is a collaboration between entomologists, botanists, naturalists, photographers, and videographers. It shows the amazing and fantastical diversity of caterpillars, and explains their important ecological roles—as processors of nutrients and energy in all kinds of habitats, and as essential foods for amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. It also describes the catastrophic worldwide declines of caterpillars (and other insects) over the last half-century, and how simple restoration efforts can turn private and public spaces into thriving caterpillar habitats.
The film is sponsored and promoted by Doug Tallamy , an entomologist, conservationist, and professor at the University of Delaware, who studies the relationships between native plants and wildlife. He is a founder of the Homegrown National Park which encourages people to plant native plants in their backyards to support local ecosystems.
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Hillsdale Fire Company's Halloween Party
Join us on Friday, October 30, at 5 PM for the Hillsdale Fire Company's annual Halloween Hayride through town. After the hayride, the kids will return for a party filled with delicious treats and have fun with their friends. Don't miss out on the excitement!
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Fire Company BBQ to benefit Departed Members' Scholarships
On Saturday, October 10, the members of the Hillsdale Fire Company will be holding their last chicken BBQ of the season. This fall fundraiser will be supporting our Departed Members Scholarship, which provides Taconic Hills students with scholarships they need to succeed in college or trade school. For $18, you get a half chicken meal with all the fixings! You can contact any fire company member for meals. Orders are due Sunday, October 5th. The pickup is in front of the firehouse this time, and it will run from 4 pm to 6 pm. We thank our wonderful community for supporting us.
| | Hillsdale General Store Turns 15 | |
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Celebrating the 15th anniversary of Hillsdale General Store, Proprietor Matthew White and Manager Paul Amash will throw open their doors on Saturday, October 17th to mark the day. Local musician and flower farmer Lukas Franco will supply sounds while nibbles will be provided from the kitchen of HGS Home Chef. The general store building was the first restored after the hamlet was designated a National Historic District. The beloved building has become a center of activity with four businesses beneath its roof. All are welcome for this anniversary celebration.
| | | | Books & Cake Celebrates First Anniversary with a Month of Free Events! | |
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On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 AM, in conjunction with the Roe Jan Library, Books & Cake will sponsor children’s author Doreen Cronin reading aloud from her award-winning books, including the beloved bestseller "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type." Ten percent of all sales during the event will go to support the library.
The event is free, but reservations are recommended. Reserve your spot here.
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On Sat. Oct. 17 at 5 PM, join us in conversation with three of the country’s foremost music writers--Ben Ratliff, Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, and Alex Abramovich-- who have written for publications like the New Yorker, the New York Times, the London Review of Books, the New York Review of Books, and Rolling Stone, among others. That's before we get to their many acclaimed books! After the conversation, two outstanding jazz musicians will host a Tiny Bookstore concert. Douglas Cuomo is an extraordinary talent. His full bio is amazing but his work that you likely know best is the theme song for Sex and the City, which he composed. Ken Wessel is also a preeminent guitarist and composer. Among his many achievements, he toured the world as the guitarist in Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time Band for 12 years.
This event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Please reserve your spot here.
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On Saturday, Oct. 24, join us for a day-long anniversary celebration of good cheer and special giveaways! There will be cupcakes and Books & Cake coffee mugs (while supplies last), and Books & Cake tote bags for the first 20 visitors. We’ll chat at 5:30 PM with one of our very favorite authors, thriller writer Bill Landay, author of Defending Jacob, named one of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century by The New York Times. Bill will answer our questions about his books and other thrillers he has loved; we’ll ask about movies and shows, including what it was like when Defending Jacob was adapted by Apple TV as a limited series. He’ll take your questions, too!
This event is free, but seating is limited. Reserve your spot here.
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Virtual Staged Reading of the chilling radio drama “Dracula” by Bram Stoker & adapted by Orson Welles. Presented by The Two Of Us Productions, the award-winning theater company based in Columbia County, in collaboration with Roving Actors’ Repertory Ensemble (RARE) Inc.
This performance is free to the public; donations are gratefully accepted. To R.S.V.P. and get your access code, please visit www.TheTwoOfUsProductions.org
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2026 FEDERAL HOLIDAYS
Town Hall will be closed:
October 12, Columbus Day
November 11, Veterans Day
November 25-27, Thanksgiving
December 24-25, Christmas
December 31-January 1, New Year's Day
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The Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market
Our community farmers market is celebrating 21 years at Roe Jan Community Park. Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market (CHFM) is open every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, rain or shine, through November 21.
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The market features local and regional farmers, specialty food producers, culinary creators, artisans, musicians, and more. A true community gathering, the market includes a town table for community organizations near the entrance. CHFM also has its own community table in the barn, inviting other nonprofits, cookbook authors, and special guests to inform market-goers of their work and upcoming events.
Live music and family-fun activities, including Farm Market Kids in partnership with the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, round out each Saturday. Its expansive field, equipped with picnic tables, benches, and umbrellas, has plenty of room for family and friends to eat chef-curated foods prepared on-site and enjoy the market vibes.
| | The market's SNAP benefits program allows those in need to use their EBT cards and receive 50% off their market purchases. Also, with support from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation's Fund for Columbia County, SNAP/EBT eligible individuals and families can pick up vouchers at the Roe Jan Food Pantry in Hillsdale. These vouchers can be redeemed at the Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market for additional purchasing power. | | |
The Dwyer Program
The Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Project is a New York State initiative that connects veterans, service members, military families, caregivers, and survivors with peer support, community engagement, and local resources. Established in memory of Army Specialist Joseph P. Dwyer, the program recognizes the importance of connection, shared experience, and community-based support in helping individuals navigate the challenges that can accompany military service and transition.
The Dwyer Program of Columbia County
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Mike Fallon at the famous annual Copake
Bicycle Auction
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Copake Auction Proprietor Seth Fallon, with
a classic High Wheeler
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Copake Bicycle Auction Preview Friday October 9th from
2 pm to 4 pm.
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Looking to Volunteer?
The Roe Jan Food Pantry, located in the basement of the Sheriff's Substation, is actively seeking dedicated volunteers. Serving Hillsdale and the entire Roe Jan area, our pantry plays a crucial role in supporting our community. If you're ready to make an impact, reach out to Betty White to get involved!
roejanfoodpantry@gmail.com
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Every day, CARTS drivers help Columbia County residents get to the healthcare they need. On Thursday, October 1, the community will come together to help keep those rides on the road.
The Healthcare Consortium’s 2026 CARTS Fundraiser will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Upper Depot Brewing Co. in Hudson. The event will bring together CARTS clients, drivers, community partners, and supporters for an evening benefiting this vital local transportation program.
The Children and Adults Rural Transportation Service, better known as CARTS, provides safe, reliable transportation to and from healthcare appointments for Columbia County residents. Last year alone, CARTS provided more than 13,000 rides. As the costs of vehicles, insurance, maintenance, and fuel continue to rise, community support is increasingly important.
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Town Board: Third Tuesday of every month at 7 PM at Town Hall.
Zoom Link (see above for more information)
Planning Board: WILL NOW BE ON THE FIRST Monday of every month, at 7:00 PM at Town Hall starting on October 5th.
Zoning Board: First Tuesday of every month, 6:30 PM at Town Hall.
To access Board minutes and agendas, click here.
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Climate Smart and Clean Energy Task Force:
Monthly meeting 6-7:00 PM on first Monday Via Teams.
Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC): Fourth Thursday of every month at 7 PM at Town Hall.
Economic Development Committee: TBD
Hamlet Committee Meeting: First Saturday of every month at 9 AM via Teams Meeting.
Historic Committee: TBD
Preliminary Comprehensive Plan Committee:
Monday, October 5th 6:00 PM at Town Hall.
Safe at Home: October 27th, at 3:00 PM at Cook and Larder.
Sewer & Infrastructure: Second Thursday of every month, 12 noon at Town Hall and Teams Meeting. NOTE: OCTOBER'S MEETING WILL BE ON THE 15th @ NOON.
To learn more about our committees, click here.
To access meeting notes, Click here.
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Check out the Hillsdale Business Directory. From plumbers to galleries, restaurants to landscapers, businesses have a lot to offer in Hillsdale.
If you have a business located in Hillsdale you can add or edit your listing online.
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2609 State Route 23/Main Street
Hillsdale NY 12529
518 325-5073
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